Heroin Anonymous

There is an epidemic happening in the western suburbs. It's heroin!

While we have all heard about the problem or know of someone who has become addicted, there are few low cost alternatives to breaking this drug's grip on its victims. The police and the courts are doing their best to stop it at the source but its supply and demand. This cheap drug is easily obtained and its taking its toll on the families of our community. 

So where is a good family to turn?

That's where Wheatland Salem United Methodist Church has decided to take a leap of faith. It was a year ago when Wheatland Salem held a heroin awareness night at its Naperville campus and over 300 people attended. The police gave the statistics. The school district told of the issue. A mom shared her story of watching her child die before her eyes.  The community sighed. The hospitals reacted with new treatment programs, some inpatient and some outpatient. 

But the problem and the stigma of being addicted has remained.

Now, Wheatland Salem's Naperville Campus is offering a solution for both the addicted and their families. It's called "Heroin Anonymous." A program with its roots in the original 12 step recovery program. The launch of this new program of recovery and support will be led by, Tim R. (hope statement below). It will be during this hour that Tim will share his experience, strength and hope with all those in attendance. After sharing, he will moderate a discussion of the effects of this epidemic on the life of the addicted and their families. 

The program begins as an open meeting for everyone for the first few weeks and then will hopefully split to become two meetings: one for those addicted and another for their families. The meeting will start on June 19th at 7pm in room 149 at the Naperville campus on 95th and Book road. If you have any questions, please contact Tim at 312.502.8671.  

HOPE STATEMENT - Tim R.

Why am I doing this?  I let my drinking and drug addiction take me to the depths of hell.

My so called friends were the hounds of hell.  We caused chaos, anarchy and destruction to everyone who crossed our paths.  I was a self-center, and selfish person, life was all about me.

I did not grow up in a bad family; I always had good jobs, a nice house, wife and four wonderful kids.  I destroyed all of that, not only with my drinking and drug use but my heroin addiction took me to places, at times, I do not want to discuss but I need too.  This helps keep me sober.

My hope is that if I can reach one person a day, with a shade of hope to walk away from the drugs, get right with their God and living a true life of honesty things will get better one day at a time.

My journey landed me twice in the Illinois Department Of Corrections, the big house, the joint.

In my last journey to prison I found my God and my calling.  To give back and help others who were just like me. My wife of 17 years divorced me, I lost our dream house to foreclosure and all respect from my kids and the few friends I had left. 

Today I am 100% clean and sober thanks to my own efforts, a 12 step program, my God and some great people.  My mission is to give back in any way, shape or form.  Not only from the addict who still suffers but with the parents who have an addict causing pain and heartache in their lives.  I also have a 20 year old son lost in his addiction. We are a community and we need to help each other out.  That is why I do what I do!